Tweek

Tweek's heart was racing fast enough that he could hear it in his ears. It was a constant thrumming, the battle drums that he'd been hearing all day manifest in full. He didn't know if it had to do with the battleground he'd just left or the fight yet to come, all he knew was that he was ready for it.

Turning his head to the side, he saw Craig, just as he'd known he would. The Thief was moving more steadily than Tweek, but at a similar pace. His long strides matched Tweek's quick ones easily, and his cloak fluttered behind him as he moved. Though he had no idea what exactly was going on inside of Craig's mind, he could guess. He's probably excited about the fight too. After all, we did just rescue him!

The whole rescue mission had been fun from beginning to end if a little terrifying all the way through. Thanks to Brandon, they'd managed to break in through the back, but the rest had been Tweek, mostly just blundering his way through the whole thing. It was surprising how fast some people went down when you hit them over the head with a club. Thankfully, he'd gotten good enough that he knew he wasn't going to kill anyone, but that was the experience of one battle and one day spent in the trees. Honestly, he wished he had more, but if this is what he was going to get then Tweek wasn't going to complain.

As Craig's cloak rippled up again, Tweek caught sight of the boy's shining chrome blades and shivered with excitement. Fighting the Drow Elves was going to be far better than fighting Hall monitors. For one, he wouldn't be getting detention for putting an Elf on the ground. Wincing internally at the realization that he was facing a whole lot of shit tomorrow, Tweek took comfort in the fact that Craig's hand was still wrapped around his and didn't let himself freak out.

I fought one battle already, there's nothing these Elves can throw at me that I won't be able to deal with! But what if they do something I don't see coming? What if I get distracted and Craig has to rescue me?! What if Craig gets hurt because of-

"What are your orders once we get there?" Letting Ryan's voice draw him out of his inevitable downward spiral, Tweek looked up at Craig, who glanced down at him and raised an eyebrow as if to ask Well, what are they? Suddenly realizing that after breaking Craig out, the other boys were looking to him as the defacto leader, Tweek let out a squawk and scrambled for an answer.

"Just w-what we've been practicing!" Tweek yelped, trying to inject some confidence into his voice and actually succeeding this time. Of course, it was a whole lot easier with Craig's strong, silent presence behind him than it was without. "We've still got ten minutes to get there. C-considering how –ghn- pattered Kyle is, they should stick to their plan!"

From beside him, Craig agreed, "They're probably only just getting into position. It's hardly ideal, but fuck it, we'll still beat their asses." Though his proclamation wasn't quite as positive as Tweek's was, it was still something to rally behind. Feeling more sure of himself with Craig's assessment backing his own, Tweek nodded twitchily.

"Do you think it would be a good idea to fan out before we enter the forest?" Daniel asked from somewhere to Tweek's left. Twitching his head in that direction, Tweek thought about it and wondered what Token would say to it. He'd probably like it because it makes sense. But wait, if we're split up it'll be easier for them to gang up on us! What if I send teams of two? But those will be more visible! Oh god, if I make the wrong decision it'll make both me and Craig look bad! I can't make Craig look bad!

"Spread into the two groups Tweek arranged yesterday," Craig cut in, breaking Tweek's thoughts apart like errant clouds. "You'll know what to do once you're out there." At his words, Tweek relaxed again because he wasn't doing this alone, was he? No, they'd rescued Craig and now he had someone to share the burden of leadership with.

"We'll have the sun in our eyes, won't we?" Jesse asked, drawing up on Tweek's right. At the thought, Tweek growled as he realized this was true. Looking to Craig, Tweek twitched and bit his lip. He hadn't thought of that, and neither had Token. If the boy had, then he hadn't shared. It was definitely a handicap, considering they'd be trying to see into the sun while fighting.

"Then once we've identified the elves, we break into two teams and get people behind them," William suggested from somewhere. The Warrior's idea made perfect sense, and Craig nodded slowly, his face giving away nothing but his eyes saying that he found the idea a good one.

Noticing a problem, Tweek yelped, "M-make sure that you leave more people in front of them!" When Craig looked at him and raised an eyebrow, Tweek said, "So we don't miss any!" As they passed Kupa Keep, Craig nodded and finally let go of Tweek's hand. Though he understood the practicality of it, Tweek mourned its warmth and weight. Craig never failed to leave him grounded, sometimes, he needed that.

But right now, as they moved past the Elven Kingdom and into Princess Kenny's territory, they didn't have time for being grounded. Tweek needed to fly. He wasn't like Craig, with a cloak that fluttered like wings and hair that looked like a raven, Tweek had too much weight, too many things weighing him down. Right now, he needed to escape, to become the Berserker that Craig believed he could be.

It meant so much more when he thought about it like that.

As they raced past the trash heaps that sat outside of Kenny's house, Daniel caught Tweek's eyes and nodded to both him and Craig before breaking off with the others of his group. Looking to the other group, Tweek made sure to make eye-contact with Jack before both he and Craig slipped around Kenny's garage and split off from the rest of them.

Because Craig and Tweek weren't going to be attacking from the front like the other soldiers were, no, they were attacking from the back.

Logistically speaking, it was a risky move. Tweek had been a little wary of it at first, considering how much better at this the Elves were, but in the end, Craig's coaxing had won him over. Their task was simply to act as mop up, picking off the archers and forcing as many Elves to the ground as possible, where they could be sniped off. Of course, they knew that this wasn't going to be a large force, chances were, there weren't even going to be any healers with this group, but they'd likely be armed to the teeth regardless.

Tweek knew that Craig could do it, just based on the videos he'd seen of the boy attacking the Elven Kingdoms alone, but he also knew from fighting with him that Craig could be every bit as deadly here as he was in everyday life. He had no problem picturing the Noirette completely defeating the Elves, but himself? That was another matter entirely, one that for all intents and purposes was up to chance. Maybe he'd make it, maybe he wouldn't.

As if sensing his uneasiness, Craig turned to him and ruffled his hair. No words were spoken in that small moment, they were too close to the enemy to get away with it, but there didn't need to be words. Tweek knew the look in those eyes, knew it, felt it, believed it. It was the silent trust and absolute certainty that only Craig could possess. Latching onto it, Tweek attempted to banish all uncertainty from his mind as he put one hand on the handle of his club and the other one on his bow.

Nodding, Craig slipped his hand from Tweek's hair before motioning the two of them forward. Twitching, Tweek bit his lip and followed, careful not to make any sounds as he traipsed after Craig through the trees. They were most definitely on enemy territory right now, and the moment they were seen, they would be attacked, but Tweek wasn't scared. He could do this, Craig believed he could.

Keeping his eyes on the path ahead while Craig kept his blue eyes trained on the trees, Tweek searched for the path that the Elves were most likely to take until they came to two trees that he thought looked promising. They'd been marked with Kyle's signet, which meant they were important enough to be picked out from the others. Finding the easy places for grips, Tweek shot Craig one more look before getting a hold on the tree and starting the process of hoisting himself up to the top.

There was an optimum height for these things, a place where the branches were thick enough to walk on but also connected with the other trees around them. It wasn't hard to find this place and start moving out along the trees. Craig vanished from his view and Tweek felt a knot of worry well up in his throat but he pushed it down. If he needed the boy, he'd be there. For now, Tweek had to rely on himself to survive this.

Scanning the trees for Elves, Tweek heard the sound of talking and instantly he hugged the trunk of a tree, unwilling to be caught before he knew what he was facing. "-think that this is the best idea, but I guess if Kyle says it will be then it probably is." Tweek vaguely recognized the voice, it was someone in his grade probably, but he couldn't pull a name out of his head.

"Relax, this is going to be easy. If anything, you should be insulted you got chosen for this mission. They're not going to have time to mount a defense here, whereas they'll probably rally up a fair amount to defend themselves at that poor princess' house." That voice made Tweek straighten suddenly because he knew that voice. They sent Chris Donnelly on this mission?! But he's like seven levels ahead of Craig! Oh, Jesus, pressure!

Unable to help himself, Tweek let out a squeak of terror. The moment it escaped his lips, he felt himself wince. Oh god, oh god, oh fuck JESUS!

"Did you hear that?" Chris asked, his voice hushed yet wary. Tweek didn't blame him, but at the same time, he wanted to scream at him to go away. Biting his hand to keep from whimpering, Tweek forced his twitching limbs to steady and propped himself up against the trunk so he could grab his short sword with his good hand. The sound of steel sliding against leather made him hiss out a few choice words through his teeth.

"Someone's here," the other Elf said. As the sound of rustling leaves got closer, Tweek realized that the battle was about to begin whether he was ready for it or not. No, I am ready! Yanking his hand away from his mouth, sparing a glance for the war paint that Craig had done just that day, Tweek got a better handhold on the branch above him and readied his sword. Three, two, OHGODOHJESUSAUGH!

"GRRRAAAH!" With a yell, Tweek swung out from behind the trunk and swung at the Elf that was closest to him. Catching Chris' sword with his own, Tweek maneuvered through the tree, dodging out of the way of the arrows that were immediately shot at him.

"There's a human over here!" the Archer yelled, alerting probably the whole forest. As the leaves around him rustled, Tweek let out another yell and darted away from Chris Donnelly and the other Elf, drawing them away. His heartbeat started to drown out the sounds around him as Tweek used all the skills he'd learned the day before to barrel straight into the thick of the Elves.

Sheathing his sword in favor of his club, Tweek went in swinging. He felt an arrow strike his back, the pain it caused flaring up. Able to smell the blood, Tweek let out a scream of, "FOR HUMANITY!" before charging a group of two Archers and a Ranger. Swinging wildly, Tweek felt his club connect and he heard the scream of an Elf. Only emboldened by this, he swung again and connected with the shield of the ranger, breaking into pieces.

Suddenly, an Archer came up on his side, catching him on unawares. Tweek was about to attempt to parry when there was a blast of red fire. Looking forward, Tweek grinned as he saw Terry there, casting spells. Focusing on the Ranger he'd been fighting, Tweek dealt a blow to the boy, hard enough to make him stumble. Feeling the blade of another sword bite into the skin of his arm, Tweek let out a roar and turned on the Ranger, dealing the Elf a blow to the ribs.

Seeing Jesse and Russell swinging in from the side with battle cries of their own, Tweek took out the Elven ranger he was fighting with a good hit to the head. The boy's blade had cut him again, but he was still doing fine, the heat of the battle distracting him from the pain. Spinning to deal with the Elf at his back, Tweek's eyes widened when a glowing slingshot hit the Ranger, causing him to slump over the branch he was standing on.

"They're on the ground!" At the sound of Jack's shout, Tweek's eyes trained downwards to find several Rangers and two Archers on the ground, moving beneath them. With a yell, Tweek swung down the branches and took a flying leap downwards, letting gravity do the work for him. Landing on top of one of the Elven Rangers, Tweek took a swing at the next one and blocked several arrows that came flying at him. Shit, there were more than we thought!

Suddenly, Ryan was there, laying into the Archers with his usual dramatic flair. Seeing one of the Rangers aiming a strike at the boy's torso, Tweek jumped in the way, taking the hit himself but dealing back a blow twice as hard. "JESUS CHRIST, THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!"

"Come on Elven scum, show us what you've got!" Russell yelled, jumping down to join them. Deciding that they had it handled and needing to make sure that no one had gotten by further down the tree line, Tweek disengaged from the fight. "Go Tweek! Make them suffer!" the Warrior yelled after him.

"GHA!" Tweek screamed back, which was about as much of a response as he could formulate. Where's Craig? I haven't seen him in a while! The moment the thought had occurred to him, Tweek felt worry begin to trump the rush of the battle. He'd already taken significant damage and he didn't have any idea where his friend had gotten to. Throwing his head around, Tweek raced for the nearest tree and flipped himself up into it, slower now that he'd been injured. Unwilling to call out his name in case he was hiding strategically, Tweek looked for the flash of a yellow puffball as he raced from tree to tree.

Oh god, what if they killed him!? Feeling his heart twist and his stomach flop, Tweek looked around wildly. Jesus, if they killed him, I wouldn't be able to handle it! I can't do this alone, I need Craig with me! Feeling his twitching return in full and his shaking get worse as his injured limbs protested him, Tweek forced himself to stop so he could pull the arrow out of his back. Holding back the sound of pain, Tweek reached into the pockets of his pants and pulled out a health potion that Scott had given him the day before.

Scarfing it down, feeling the worst of his injuries heal, Tweek drew a breath and looked for the creek, which he used as a reference point. Leaping through the trees, Tweek's eyes scanned their surroundings, searching for Craig carefully. What if he's back with the others? Am I wasting my time?! Oh Jesus, what if they tell Cartman I ran away! Maybe I should go back. But what if Craig's out here! Jesus this is too much! Twitching hard, Tweek struggled to keep his breathing even.

Changing tactics, Tweek used a tenuous branchy bridge over the creek and looked around the other side for a fluttering cloak or flashing blades. There was nothing, not even a peep. He could hear the sounds of the battle at his back, but he didn't let himself be distracted. If Craig was out here, then Tweek needed to find him, if only to bring him back to the main fight.

Feeling helpless, Tweek stood on a branch, unable to do a thing but swing his head around like a lost dog. Biting his lip, Tweek had a sudden idea. Before, Craig liked to go higher than me because he's not afraid of falling like I am. Drawing a deep breath, refusing to look at the ground, Tweek grabbed the nearest handhold and hoisted himself higher. He wouldn't be able to go between trees like this, he'd be stuck in one place unless he was willing to drop himself down, but maybe he'd be able to spot Craig.

Keeping a tight hold on the trunk, Tweek fought the feeling of his heart in his throat and looked around, searching for Craig. Nothing, he's not here. What do I do what do I do what do I- Suddenly, Tweek's eyes caught on something. It was a flash of a blade, nothing more. He couldn't see through the trees, what with the sunlight in his eyes and everything. Frustrated, he dropped down and crossed to the tree that was directly in the direction of the metallic shine.

Climbing upwards again, no more unsteadily than before, Tweek was frustrated when he was once again blocked by branches. Damnit, I can't keep doing this. Looking around, Tweek noticed one of the more unsteady branches would take him into the place he needed to be. For a moment, he refused to do it, his mind rejecting the idea wholly, but something else in him pushed him forward. Biting his lip, Tweek caught ahold of the branch above him and almost let out a squeak as it bowed under his weight.

But then his toes caught on the limb beneath him and Tweek managed to balance on the new perch without falling. His eyes wanted to snap to the ground, but something else caught his eye, something entirely more alarming. OH GOD FUCK WHY NOTOOMUCHPRESSURECRAIG!

The Noirette was bleeding, his whole body looking like it had been carved up like a turkey. Currently, he was pinned to the trunk at his back by a sword, his chest heaving as he breathed heavily. Over him, leering horribly, was the equally injured looking Chris Donnelly. His clothing was stained with his own blood, and it was clear that he was close to passing out, but he was still over Craig and Craig looked weaker.

OH GOD, I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING! Panicking, Tweek started to look for a way down, only to find the yawning maw of the river beneath him, no convenient branches to cross with in sight. Yanking his head back up, Tweek stared at the boys. They were saying something, but he couldn't hear them, not from this distance. Feeling desperate, Tweek felt his breathing growing shallow as his panic increased.

NO! I have to stay calm, I have to help Craig. Looking at his club and his sword, Tweek felt helplessness swamp him. If he couldn't get closer, he couldn't do anything, and Craig was about to be killed if he didn't act. There was no way he'd survive the next hit, Tweek could see it in the boy's eyes.

Staring at him, Tweek saw the absolute determination in Craig's gaze and he honed in on it, forcing himself to focus on it. Suddenly, the answer appeared to him, the weight on his back making it clear. But I'll need two hands for that. Fine, then he needed two hands. Steadying himself, Tweek carefully took a breath and took out his bow, not letting go of the tree until he absolutely had to. With his back to the trunk, much like Craig's back was to his tree, Tweek notched an arrow and shut his eyes. He didn't even bother to aim, it wasn't like it was going to make a difference.

I CAN DO THIS! Eyes flying open, Tweek let out a feral cry and released the arrow. He couldn't even see its path, all he knew was that one moment Craig was being pinned to the tree and the next moment Chris stumbled back, his eyes growing wide as he stared at the arrow sprouting from his shoulder. Glaring at Tweek, the boy's mouth formed one word before he collapsed over the branch, his body limp.

Looking his way, Craig's eyes widened as he saw Tweek. "Tweek!" he called, his flat voice conveying every bit of relief that Tweek felt. Quickly dropping from where he was standing and swinging to the lower branches, Tweek rushed towards the injured Craig, who moved towards him as well. Reaching for the boy as soon as he was close enough to touch, Tweek grabbed a handful of Craig's tattered cloak just as the Noirette wrapped an arm around the blonde's head.

It was an awkward greeting, which was probably for the best because it gave Tweek a reason to laugh instead of break down crying as he'd felt like he was about to. Leaning into the taller boy, keeping one hand tangled in the branches beside him, Tweek gasped for breath as relieved and squeaky giggles tumbled out of his mouth. Craig's chin rested in Tweek's hair as he too snorted, not quite a laugh but definitely something happier than not.

"I thought he'd got me," Craig told Tweek, his voice sounding rough and husky, probably because of how hurt he was. "I thought I'd fucked up."

Shaking his head to the extent he could when Craig was still holding onto him like he was a lifeline, Tweek mumbled, "I didn't think I'd –ngh- b-be able to find you!" Feeling his shaking start to subside as his heart calmed down, the boy looked up at Craig and said, "You know I wouldn't leave you behind though, r-right!?"

Craig blinked down at Tweek for a moment, like he was trying to process the words in his mind, then finally he nodded, his expression unchanging. Again, Tweek felt like there was so much in Craig's eyes, so many things he'd never understand, but then the look cleared and Craig said, "I know." Realizing how it mimicked his own responses, Tweek shivered and smiled, staring up at the Noirette happily.

With the sun behind him, Tweek thought he looked like a god.

Before his thoughts could go anywhere else, there was a whoop from behind him and Tweek turned and looked down to find Brendon and Russell running along beneath them, waving their arms. "We did it!" Russell called, his grin wide and happy. "We beat their asses! The Elves have been taken out."

Looking down on his soldiers, who were very literally looking up to him, Tweek felt pride and excitement swell in his chest till he thought he'd burst. Stepping back from Craig, still not letting go of his cloak, Tweek let out a cheer of his own before screeching back, "WE'RE COMING DOWN!" Glancing back at the injured Craig, the blond let out a half shriek before scrambling for his only other health potion. Passing it to Craig, Tweek said, "B-Butters will be able to heal you once we join the main battle!"

"Oh, that's right," Craig said in a deadpan as the worst of his injuries turned to bad bruises and abrasions instead of bloody gashes. "We have a war to fight."

Smiling at Craig, Tweek said, "Yeah, so –ghn- let's go raise hell!"

Cranking up an eyebrow, Craig returned Tweek's smile with a tiny one of his own. "You know, I like the sound of that."